More Than a Governess

‘No, sir, I believe—’

She broke off as the door opened and she heard a deep, cheerful voice saying,

‘No need to announce me, Fraser, I’ll find him—and lay another cover for dinner, there’s a good fellow!’

Unable to curb her curiosity, Juliana turned to see who dared to walk in upon Major Collingham with such insouciance. She saw a gentleman dressed in the first style of elegance, his short fair hair brushed forward to frame a handsome, good-humoured countenance supported—or more properly confined—by a collar whose points came up to his cheeks. A tight-fitting blue coat and white embroidered waistcoat encased his body, while inexpressibles of the palest cream and gleaming Hessians completed the picture of a top-of-the-trees man-about-town. If the gentleman heard the Major’s curt demand to know what the devil was going on he gave no sign, but stopped just inside the door and made an elegant bow.

‘Well, now, Fraser did not tell me you had company, Damon. How very remiss of him.’

The Major was regarding the newcomer with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. ‘Would it have stopped you charging in, had you known?’

The gentleman gave a grin. ‘I dare say I’d have allowed him to announce me.’

Major Collingham sighed. ‘Your manners really are appalling, Richard. Miss Wrenn, may I present to you Sir Richard Mondwyck?’

Juliana stepped forward, her cheeks still warm from her recent embarrassment.

‘Yes. That is, we—we have met.’

‘By Jove, yes, I thought you looked familiar! I knew her father,’ he explained to the Major. ‘Clever fellow, Jonas Wrenn. Could always rely on him to decipher the more difficult codes I put to him.’ Sir Richard took her hand. ‘I was very sorry to hear of his death, Miss Wrenn. I was in France at the time or I should have attended his funeral. He was a very good man.’

‘Thank you, sir.’ She gently withdrew her fingers from his grip and Sir Richard moved across to the side-table to pour himself a glass of wine.

‘Well, now, Miss Wrenn—what are you doing here with this reprobate?’

‘Miss Wrenn is in my employ,’ the Major responded curtly. ‘She has agreed to act as governess for a few months, until I have settled the girls into Blackthorpe.’

‘My father was not a rich man, sir,’ she answered the question in Sir Richard’s look. ‘So now I must earn my living.’

She ended brightly, smiling, and Sir Richard merely nodded, understanding in his eyes.

‘As must I, Miss Wrenn,’ he replied in the same light vein.

‘Fortunately, there are wealthy men such as Damon here who have need of our services occasionally.’

Major Collingham’s lip curled. ‘Thank you, Richard. Now, before my patience is quite worn out, perhaps you will tell me what you are doing here?’

‘I wanted a little company, so I invited myself to dinner, Damon.’

‘Really? Louisa will be overjoyed.’

Sir Richard almost choked on his wine. ‘No! Is your sister in town? Well, I didn’t know, but no matter. I shall be delighted to see her again. This really is a superb burgundy, Damon—shall I refill your glass? And we are all standing around like perfect strangers! Miss Wrenn, will you not be seated, ma’am?’

‘Thank you, but I think Major Collingham and I have finished our business, and I must get back to my charges. If that is all, Major?’

‘It is for now. You will oblige me by bringing the girls to the drawing room after dinner, Miss Wrenn.’

‘As you wish, sir.’

Sir Richard opened the door for her and Juliana gave him a fleeting smile as she went out. She was feeling a little light-headed as she made her way back to the schoolroom. She attributed this to the wine, but could not deny her pleasure at seeing Sir Richard again. He had been an infrequent visitor to her father’s house, always on business, but on the rare occasions they had met he had treated her with respect and she felt now that his acknowledgement of her had added to her standing with her new employer. All at once she found herself looking forward to going downstairs after dinner.

Chapter Five

‘So you are taking the children back to Lancashire,’ said Sir Richard.

‘Blackthorpe Hall is their home, and mine, too.’ Major Collingham tossed off his wine and walked to the side-table. ‘I have hardly been there since their mother died. There is much to be done.’ He held up the decanter and Sir Richard came over with his empty glass.

‘And you plan to marry that neighbour of yours—the widow?’

‘Lady Frances. Yes. She was in town with her father a few weeks ago. Nothing was said, of course, but much was hinted at.’

Sir Richard grimaced.

‘Too cold for my taste, old friend. I cannot ever recall seeing a spark of warmth in her.’

Damon shrugged. ‘She will make the girls a good mother. That is all I want.’

Sir Richard sipped his wine, saying nothing. The Major eyed him for a moment, then set down his glass with a snap.

‘Damnation, man, say what is on your mind.’

‘If I did that, my friend, you would call me out.’

‘You think I am making a mistake?’

Sir Richard looked down at the toe of one gleaming Hessian as he traced the pattern on the carpet. ‘I do not think Lady Frances will make you happy.’

‘I am five-and-thirty, Richard, past the age of romantic notions. So, too, is Frances. I want a mother for my children, nothing more.’ He paused, then said with some difficulty, ‘I loved Harriet. To lose her was—agony. I have no wish to go through such pain again. Frances and I understand each other—we have been neighbours for many years. She will bring up the girls and look after my house, leaving me free to get on with the business of running the estate. We shall be very comfortable.’

‘Then I wish you happy. And you have found a governess to look after the children. How did you manage that so quickly?’

‘Miss Wrenn is related to Pettigrew, the lawyer dealing with my cousin Willoughby’s affairs—you will remember he made me trustee before he died. Miss Wrenn and I struck a bargain—she is contracted to me until September, which will give me time to arrange matters in Lancashire.’

‘There were other children in the Wrenn family, as I recall.’

‘Aye. Two. They are travelling with us.’

‘The devil they are!’ Sir Richard laughed. ‘What has come over you, Damon? I thought you didn’t like children above half!’

‘Nor do I.’ He scowled. ‘You may take that look out of your eye, Rick, I’m not going soft in the head, if that’s what you are thinking. They would have to follow their sister at some stage, so it seemed expedient to take them with us. They will be company for my own girls.’

‘True, and Miss Wrenn will be looking after them, will she not? I doubt they will bother you.’

‘That is my hope. You knew her father, you said?’

‘Aye. He spent some years in France as a young man and his knowledge of the country and language was quite exceptional. In my work for the government, I often have need for someone to decipher the notes we intercept from French spies. Wrenn was one of the best.’

The Major studied his wine glass. ‘And how well do you know his daughter?’